The binge-drinking epidemic can be curbed only if the price of certain types of alcohol rises by more than 150%, according to one of the UK's leading authorities on tackling the problem.

At a time of austerity, Alcohol Concern's stance is likely to trigger a public furore with many politicians distancing themselves from any measures that hit cash-strapped drinkers. Alcohol Concern believes a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol would result in 45,000 fewer crimes and 97,000 fewer hospital admissions a year.

Under its proposals, a two-litre bottle of Frosty Jack cider, containing 15 units of alcohol, would jump from £2.98 to £7.50, a 152% increase. A bottle of Two Oceans red Shiraz wine, containing 10.13 units of alcohol, would rise 27% from £4 to £5.06. And a bottle of supermarket own-brand scotch whisky, containing 40 units of alcohol, would increase 34% from £14.97 to £20.

"We have long been concerned at the practice of selling alcohol at rock-bottom prices, in the case of supermarkets often selling alcohol as a loss leader," said Alcohol Concern's chief executive, Don Shenker. "The only way to eradicate the sale of very cheap alcohol is to introduce a minimum price per unit."

The coalition government is consulting on how best to tackle the problem of binge-drinking. The Liberal Democrats have previously backed a minimum pricing level for alcohol, but, in a sign that the issue could become a flashpoint for the coalition, Tory health secretary Andrew Lansley recently expressed a preference for banning the sale of alcohol below cost price.

Asda has announced it will not sell alcohol below cost price – duty plus VAT. For example, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka cannot be sold below £10.49.

But Shenker said this would have no effect. "Duty rates are so low that to introduce a ban on selling alcohol below the cost of duty and VAT would still allow retailers to sell at dirt-cheap prices. A two-litre bottle of Frosty Jack could still be sold legally for just 78p."

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which says alcohol consumption causes almost 15,000 deaths a year, backs the idea of minimum pricing per unit. "The beauty of a minimum-price approach is that it only raises the price of the cheapest drinks, and these are the ones typically drunk by young binge drinkers and heavy chronic drinkers," said Shenker.

The Portman Group, which represents drink producers, said that it remains unconvinced that minimum pricing would discourage harmful drinking.